Popup or flip over?

So, with the ice (hopefully) fast approaching, I'm looking at buying a hut after Christmas. Sadly I'm out in New Brunswick and no longer able to fish Simcoe, but this boards been a great source of information and tips, so I thought id ask here anyways. Looking at buying a hut, Ive been looking at both the flip over style, and the popup style. There are a few pros and cons to both, the first being cost. Id be looking at 300$ minimum prob closer to 400 for a flip over style, where id be able to get a popup hut for less then 200$. Secondly with the popup I could fish with 2 buddies as opposed to just 1 other person, but normally it would only be 1 other person anyways so its not a deal breaker. Are flip overs a much nicer style of hut? Or should I go the cheaper option and get a popup?

Like you said, pros and cons to both. If you cheap out and buy a pop up, you still need a sled of some description to carry all your stuff around in. Flip over has that covered.

I have fished with both. The flip over was a two man and heavy to drag. The pop up is super light and a two man. The flip over is quick and easier to setup and take down to move quickly. In deep snow I prefer the pop up as I can throw it on my back and walk through the snow without a sled if I choose. Both options are great and have their merits.

If I was not walking and had a quad or sled doing the work I would take a flip over.

If I was walking I would go with the pop up.

Also the pop up is easier to store in the summer as it is small and the pop up fits into any car easy if you don’t have a van,truck or SUV.

A lot of what you said pertains to me, as no power but my own legs, and only have a car now so a flip over might be hard to travel with, something I never took into consideration. Also the fact I’m in a uni dorm means space is of the essence so a huge flip over compared to a pop up doesn’t make as much sense now that I look up the dimensions of a flip up. Appreciate the tips guys, I’d have been in a pinch if I bought a flip up I think between storage and transportation that I never thought about. Just bought a pair of old skies to build a sled, now onto finding a design that breaks apart for easy storage!

I'm relatively new to the board, but can already see there should be a sticky at the top of the forum listing pros and cons of flip-over v pop-up!

I've got a Clam Nanook, its a thermal so nice and warm and great for fishing 2 guys. I pulled it for the first two years with leg power and it wasn't too bad, the advantage is the easy setup and its all self contained so you can throw your gear inside for the walk. I bought a chest harness and its really not that tough to pull. You'll want some cleats for your boots though if there's no snow cover or you wont get anywhere!.

As always you get what you pay for, I had a popup for two years before I got the clam, and always had issues setting it up solo in the wind...plus you have to anchor the corners. With a flip style you essentially use your body weight to anchor it down. Love the Clam, and the company has been great to deal with, they are quick to respond and address any issues, in my case anyway.

Good luck!

If you buy a popup buy an insulated one more durability lot less issues what I have learned Im in the market also easier storage less weight to pull I have a flip wanting to possibly get rid of it.

As I see it, if you are walking a flip over is a bit heavy to be dragging. OTOH, a pop-up is a lot more trouble to put up. So it really depends on the type of fishing you plan on doing. If you are walking I suggest an uninsulated for less weight and bulk. Getting the temp up to + 2 deg or so is fairly easy to do. Enough to keep the holes open----don't need a sauna, got warm clothes!

i have both types and they have very different uses, the 2 man flip over is only used with the snowmobile, I have a 1 man flip over I hand pull and it gets the most use lately due to crappy ice. The 4 man pop out is used if i'm buddy fishing and cant bring the snowmobile and we are not planning to moving but most of the time i am on the move so its the 1 man.

I struggled with this same question on my second season of ice fishing. I chose the POP-Up. found that it was a better option as I walk out. takes a extra minute to set up but it provides me with much more space.

Good luck I hope you find something that works.

What I forgot to mention why use the insulated is because uninsulated the tent material wears quickly I know with eskimo a store wont sell their uninsulated brand because of this.

I own an HT el cheapo pop up. Going on 4 years for $115.00. Don’t force the Pole’s ever and dry it out open at home in the garage. Only one tear from a badly moved auger blade that made a 1” spit at the bottom 2 years ago. Also heats up very easy with a small burner style camp stove. I use this as I like to cook while I heat.

My buddy and I rarely use our pop-up. Unless it's windy we prefer to sit outside and enjoy the scenery---we fish Muskoka. Like Disco, I have used my single burner camp stove. Part of a 1 lb tank kept the temp above freezing all day. No danger of CO poisoning wit the wind blowing---tent was well vented whether we wanted it or not!!!

Pop-up is lighter and bigger but a pain to put up and take down solo. I get lazy and either dont set it up and fish outside with those challenges or I never move if i set it up. I got a flip over, its a little more hassle to transport but i can set it up and fish much quicker so i move more and fish without the hassle of icing lines, wind blowing your line etc.

It's a hard choice, but if you are low on storage space definitely get a popup up.

I was in the same situations as you - dorm room 2 seasons ago and was looking for a hut. I went with a pop-up, and while it still works great, I am now looking for a 1-2 man flip over...

The reason being is set-up. I don't always like to go with other people and tbh on a windy day on Simcoe a 3 man pop-up can be a pain to put up. I've been caught more than once running across the ice after my tumbling tent.

When you're solo or with a new fisherman I wanted the ease of set-up! I borrowed a friends last season and it was the best thing i've ever used. You're drilled, set up, and fishing in under 2 mins in almost all weather.

While this can be a similar case for pop-ups, on a non-ideal day when you still want to fish you're spending more time fixing your pop-up and chasing loose straps, strings, poles etc. then its worth.

This is just what has worked for me.